Nairobi & the Central Highlands of Kenya
The Central Highlands & Nairobi Region blends urban energy with scenic mountain landscapes.
Home to Kenya’s capital, it’s a hub of culture, history, and modernity, surrounded by highland forests, rolling hills, and fertile farmlands.
This region offers a mix of wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and cool high-altitude retreats—all easily accessible from the city.
Nairobi National Park
Just a short drive from the city center, Nairobi National Park offers an extraordinary contrast between untamed wilderness and urban life. As the only national park in the world located within a capital city, it provides an easy gateway to Kenya’s wildlife.
Visitors can expect to see lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes roaming freely across open grass plains, all with Nairobi’s skyline visible in the background. The park also hosts a rhino sanctuary and over 400 species of birds, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
Mount Kenya National Park
Home to the iconic Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a haven for trekkers and nature lovers. The park features dramatic glacial peaks, alpine meadows, bamboo forests, and rare high-altitude vegetation. Wildlife such as elephants, hyenas, monkeys, and antelopes can be spotted along hiking routes.
Climbing routes vary in difficulty, with some paths accessible to casual hikers and others suited for serious mountaineers.
Giraffe Centre
Located in the leafy suburb of Lang’ata, the Giraffe Centre was established to protect the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.
Visitors can get up close and personal with these gentle giants from an elevated wooden platform, offering a rare opportunity to feed them by hand. It's a great educational experience, especially for children, and includes a short nature trail where smaller wildlife and birds can be spotted.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage)
This world-renowned elephant rescue and rehabilitation center lies on the edge of Nairobi National Park.
At set visiting hours, guests can watch orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed, playing in mud baths, and learning to socialize under the care of dedicated keepers. The experience is both touching and informative, shedding light on conservation challenges and the rescue stories of these young elephants.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Set on the Laikipia plains, Ol Pejeta is one of East Africa’s premier conservation areas. It is home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos and also hosts a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees. The conservancy combines luxury safari experiences with responsible tourism, offering game drives, bush walks, and behind-the-scenes tours of their conservation work.
Expect to see the Big Five, along with cheetahs, Grevy’s zebras, and over 300 bird species.
Karen Blixen Museum
Set at the foot of the Ngong Hills, the Karen Blixen Museum was once home to the Danish author of Out of Africa. Preserved in its original state with colonial-era furniture and photographs, the house offers insight into Blixen’s life in Kenya and the country's early 20th-century history.
Guided tours explore the property and grounds, immersing visitors in the atmosphere that inspired one of the most iconic memoirs of life in Africa.
Nairobi National Museum
An excellent introduction to Kenya’s rich heritage, the Nairobi National Museum showcases exhibits on natural history, human evolution, ethnic culture, and contemporary art. Highlights include ancient fossils from Lake Turkana, ethnographic displays of Kenya’s diverse tribes, and the impressive Hall of Mammals.
Visitors can also explore botanical gardens, a snake park, and rotating art exhibitions on the same grounds.
Karura Forest
Karura Forest is a peaceful, green sanctuary in the heart of Nairobi, ideal for nature walks, jogging, cycling, and birdwatching.
Spanning over 1,000 hectares, it offers well-marked trails through indigenous forest, waterfalls, bamboo groves, and even a historic cave once used by Mau Mau fighters. It’s a favorite for both locals and tourists looking to escape the city buzz and connect with nature.
Ngong Hills
Located southwest of Nairobi, the Ngong Hills form a scenic ridgeline that provides sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley.
Popular with hikers and picnickers, the hills are steeped in colonial history and were famously referenced in Out of Africa. A hike along the seven knuckle-like peaks offers fresh air, cool breezes, and a moderate physical challenge, all within easy reach of the capital.
Aberdare National Park
Famous for its misty forests, cascading waterfalls, and high-altitude moorlands, Aberdare National Park offers a cooler and more secluded safari experience.
Visitors might encounter rare species like the elusive bongo antelope, black leopards, and giant forest hogs, along with elephants, buffalos, and various birds. The park’s tree lodges, such as The Ark and Treetops, provide excellent nighttime wildlife viewing at waterholes.